The services of the central excise and service tax department are now available online. The department launched the Automation of Central Excise and Service Tax (ACES) -- a workflow-based application software on Wednesday.

It was inaugurated by chief commissioner of central excise Bangalore zone Subash Chander.

What it means

The new web-enabled software will completely replace the current mode of manual filing of returns, payment of taxes, seeking of refund and rebate on duties. ACES will enable assessees to obtain registration under central excise/ service tax and also view and track status of their document online.

Currently, assessees submit their documents, including returns. These processes will be automated and will facilitate speeding up of filing of registration and submission of returns. The department can fast-track reports of tax collections.

This software has already been rolled out in excise commissionerates of Coimbatore, Belapur, Bhubaneshwar, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The department plans to connect all central excise, customs and service tax offices across the country through a Wide Area Network.